Keep in mind, one's own IRA, including one inherited for a spouse and rolled into the surviving spouse's IRA, are clearly defined by the The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, in terms of protection from creditors for purposes of Federal Bankruptcy up to $1MM...although by individual state rules, they may be subject to judgements, although I believe this will depend on the state.

ERISA protects all qualified retirement plans from creditors, with the exception of former spouses and certain tax liens (rare). If you don't believe this, the next time you're in Reno NV, drop over to the Lovelock (yes, that's its real name) Correctional Center just outside of town and ask O.J. Simpson how his NFL Pension is doing.

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